Program Info
- Program established: 1997
- Target Program Areas: Amhara, Oromia, SNNPR, Addis Ababa
- Sub-Regional Field Offices: IIRR Hawassa
- Staff: 17
- Core Program Areas:
- Education for Marginalized Communities
- Equitable Access to Quality Education
- Goats for Girls
- Sexual and Reproductive Health
- Food Security and Resilient Livelihoods
Office Info
Country Director – Zerihun Lemma
Address:
PO Box 7931
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Email- ethiopia@old.iirr.org
Phone: + 251 11 3212 864
Challenges and Opportunities
Ethiopia, home to 108 million people, is a country prone to drought, famine, conflict and climate variability. According to UNESCO, Ethiopia is one of the twelve countries most impacted by climate change (2016). These issues affect 85% of the population, which is suffering through low crop yields and decreased livestock sales as a result of unpredictable climate patterns. These low yields result in the impoverishment and food insecurity of 15 million Ethiopians every year. Pastoralists and women are particularly affected by these challenges. Parents prefer to keep girls at home to help out in household chores such as herding and milking animals, fetching water, cooking, and caring for family members. Many parents do not have the resources to pay for girls’ school-related expenses, despite rising numbers of households that are headed by women. Conflicts and traditional cultural practices further disadvantage women and girls, who are subjected to sexual abuse, early and unwanted marriage and pregnancy, and high risk of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS. About 50% of adolescent girls (ages 12-18) drop out of school because of these pressures.
How IIRR Helps
- Gradually closing the gap between girls and boys in education achievement and attendance.
- Increasing school enrollment for females while reducing dropout rates and increasing retention.
- Creating DRR (Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration) institutions in schools and communities.
- Implementing Bio-intensive Gardening (BIG), Farmers Field School, seed and grain banks, and agricultural value chains at schools and community centers.
Partnerships:
- ORDA
- AWEA
- AFD
- Dubaf
- Girda
- GPDI
Funding:
- Sweden Sida
- Polish Center for International Aid (PCPM)
- Boeing Company
- Poland Embassy
- WFP US
General Country Stats
- Only 11% of girls transition from primary to secondary schools nationwide.
- More than 10% of pastoralist girls have never attended school.
- The average girl in Ethiopia only attains 1.4 years of schooling (Source: “Human Development Report 2015: Work for Human Development”).
Important Facts and Figures
(Summary of 2014 to 2016 program accomplishments):
- 19,875 children (9,106 female) students enrolled in primary and secondary schools. From these figures, 88.2% were retained throughout the academic year.
- 1,236 (642 female) pre-school children enrolled in 26 schools.
- 60 primary school English teachers trained in reading, writing and comprehension.
- IIRR provided 20 solar-powered Notebook laptop computers to schools.
- 1,550 girls participated in the Goats for Girls program.
- 29,000 assorted learning materials were distributed to 46 target schools.
- 500 solar lights have been installed in 500 schools to give students, especially girls, the ability to read at night. As a result, the school performance of girls improved significantly.
- 48 high school-aged girls are receiving on-campus hostel services.
- 61 wood-selling women around Addis Ababa were organized and trained in alternative income plans: sewing, leather work, and local cloth making.
- 4,000 women joined the Women Entrepreneurs Association in Amhara and received continuous mentoring and coaching.
Ethiopia Team
Country Director
Zerihun joins IIRR with over 27 years of experience managing education programs and various other social sector projects. Prior to his Ethiopia Country Director position, Zerihun served as the Country Director in South Sudan and also as a Capacity Development
Senior Accountant
Berhane joined IIRR in 2017 as a Senior Accountant for IIRR Ethiopia. Prior to joining IIRR, Berhane worked with governmental, nongovernmental and consultancy organizations for about 8 years as an Accountant. She holds a Bachelor of accounting degree
Administration Officer
Beza Seboka holds BA Degree in Management from St. Mary’s University College and Diploma in Secretarial Science and Office Management. She has been at IIRR in different position starting from 1998. She develops her experience and expertise in
CTA Project officer
Dida is working as Project Officer, at IIRR Ethiopia, on a project titled “Enhancing Market Response to Resilience in the Livestock market Value chain in Borana Zone, Oromia Region”. He joins IIRR with about 18 years of cumulative
Logistics Officer
Gebreselassie is IIRR Ethiopia’s Logistics Officer and joined IIRR in 2000. Previous to joining IIRR, Gebreselassie worked with the Ethiopian Building Construction Authority for 18 years. He also worked with PARKMAN and F.C. Shufflers as a Driver and
CTA Project Focal Person
Jatani joined IIRR in 2018 as CTA Financed Project Focal person in IIRR – Ethiopia, Jatani joins IIRR with a wealth of non-governmental organization/Civil Society Organization experience. Prior to joining IIRR, he worked as an Executive Director, Field
IT Assistant
Meheret holds BA degree in Information Communication Technology from Admas University College and Diploma in Information Technology from GAGE Information Communication College. She has been at IIRR in different position starting from 2003. She has worked as Office
Project Assistant
Mekbebe holds a BA in Development management from Alpha University College and a Diploma in Auto Mechanics from Alpha University College. His experience includes work as a Driver mechanic and as a project assistant for 20 years.
Pastoralist Project Officer
Meseret Joined IIRR in 2017as Pastoralist Project officer Previous to joining IIRR, Meseret worked in Government sector 14 years and five months: as primary school teacher as well as director with qualification of Diploma in Teaching and None
Office Assistant
Mulumbet joined IIRR in 2012 as an Office Assistant. She holds a Diploma in Accounting from Tegbaried Polytechnic College and Certificate in Pre-School Teaching form Afro-Symbiosis Teacher’s College.
Pastoralist Project Assistant
Roba joined IIRR in 2017 as a Project Assistant for IIRR Ethiopia. Previously to joining IIRR, Roba was a Principal and School Director at primary school where he also taught for 5 years. He also worked CRC as a supervisor
Project Assistant
Seblewongel holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in Business Management from Hawassa University and a Diploma of Secretarial Science and Office Management from Africa Beza University College. She has worked as Project Assistant, Executive Secretary and Human Resources Administrator
HARVEST Project Coordinator
Workneh joins IIRR with the experience of teaching and research in different higher institutions in Ethiopia. Workneh has been working in IIRR as a consultant, project coordinator, and current program manager since 2013. He holds Bachelor of education